I choose the User name Finally! because I watched a 2 hour special on PBS last night on buddahism and have NEVER had anything make so much sense to me in my life !!!!! I have never blogged, tweeted, face booked, or visited a chat room in my life either, that is how inspired and truly hungry I am for more. I cried with joy and relief that I had finally heard the answers instead of the questions, the solutions rather then the problems. If there is anyone out there that would be willing to guide me, teach me more, give suggestions, suggest reading material, anything..... Please. I truly look forward to anyones input. I am seeking only the positive, only the truth (as painful as that can be at times) and only people that are here to talk about this topic. I am a very happily married woman with 7 beautiful children and NOT interested in ANY "friends" of the opposite sex. Just had to make that clear, I have heard bad things about these chat rooms, don't mean to be rude or offend anyone. Thank you very much, ahead of time for anything you guys might be able to share with me.

1. The Buddha is our only Master (teacher and guide) 2. We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Saṅgha (the Three Jewels) 3. We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God. 4. We consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom (prajñā) leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth 5. We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely duḥkha, the arising of duḥkha, the cessation of duḥkha, and the path leading to the cessation of duḥkha; and the law of cause and effect (pratītyasamutpāda) 6. All conditioned things (saṃskāra) are impermanent (anitya) and duḥkha, and that all conditioned and unconditioned things (dharma) are without self (anātma) (see trilaksana). 7. We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to enlightenment (bodhipakṣadharma) as different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment. 8. There are three ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (śrāvaka), as a pratyekabuddha and as a samyaksambuddha (perfectly and fully enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva and to become a samyaksambuddha in order to save others. 9. We admit that in different countries there are differences regarding Buddhist beliefs and practices. These external forms and expressions should not be confused with the essential teachings of the Buddha.

Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.Through the qualities of meditating in that way,Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

I don't know which manifestation of Buddhism is more suited to you or which you feel more drawn towards: this is the site for Mahayana and Vajrayana which I am deeply devoted to: but there is also the sister sight called Dhamma Wheel you may want to check out too.